First up, if you use Chrome, check out this really fun map of the cosmos.
Here’s what I just don’t get about those who stockpile guns. I can’t imagine living life so scared of the world. And that’s what the NRA does, convince people to be afraid. And just a reminder, the NRA represents the gun makers, and works to make them money. So making the public afraid enough to stockpile guns is their goal.
Yes, I’m excited, considering Benedict continued to hide child molesters and defend them in court (see: Australia, L.A., et. al.). But I can’t imagine the next pope is suddenly going to drop the homophobic, misogynistic, anti-sex views. I’m not holding my breath. Corporate Hallucinations covers it here.
And this happened the day it was announced:
The other big news is Orson Scott Card being tapped to write a new Superman series. Card, is a very outspoken homophobic bigot (as well as hating the Jews, you know, for being Jews). He’s entitled to his opinion, and I’m entitled to not buy his comics. That’s how it works, although you’ll probably notice that the far-right complains and claims they are being harassed and victimized when the center/left does anything they disagree with. However, when someone like Card, who has been quoted saying that it should be illegal to be gay, gives tons of money to hate groups like the FRC and NOM (and is a member of their board), it’s a bit beyond his opinion and more like a crusade on his part. So excuse me as I try to protect myself. Anyway, the Gutters covers it here.
If this was a Holocaust denier or a white supremacist, there would be no question. Hiring that writer would be an embarrassment to your company. Well, [Orson Scott] Card is an embarrassment to your company, DC. And of all the characters Card could have been hired to write, you give him Superman? The character that taught me to lead by example? To do the right thing, even when it was hard? To keep going, even when it seemed hopeless? What an insult. Kids are killing themselves. They are killing themselves in a climate of intolerance and homophobia publicly fostered by people like Orson Scott Card. You don’t have to contribute to this. You shouldn’t. You mustn’t.”
In case you missed the story, a group of parents and students in Indiana wanted a “traditional Prom,” because the idea of seeing same-sex couples walk in holding hands is so repulsive to them. The school has nothing to do with it, although one of the teachers has said on camera that gay kids “serve no purpose.” The community, a local church and the school are reaching out to all kids, and you can read about the whole ordeal here.
Seattle had an opt-out program for phone books, which was just declared unconstitutional. The courts say phone books are protected speech. I have to disagree, but we’ll see how this progresses.
Courts have also overturned a ruling, now saying that cities can place restrictions in place barring protests (think Westboro). As strange as it is, it’s probably better if cities cannot stop that kind of speech. But then again, when they protest, they always take the risk of being taken to task. And while that is what they want (they then sue to raise money), it is great to watch this takedown as Westboro protests a funeral of a solider (only because she was a lesbian).
A law that has lost in federal courts five times, which the majority of the country opposes, and Speaker Boener had to request a special amount of 1.5 million to defend is a giant waste of time. Now that he’s run out of money, he wants more, even after a year and a half of defeats. Colossal waste of money and time.
